A grim statistical relationship links military veterans and mesothelioma: more than 30% of Americans with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos during military service.
Asbestos was commonly used by the armed forces until the late 1970s. Its superior insulation properties made it ideal for covering turbines, piping, brakes, electrical equipment, and other high-temperature systems. Naval veterans are at particular risk due to the combination of shipboard asbestos and poorly-ventilated watertight spaces.
As a result, mesolthelioma in military veterans who served between 1940 and 1970 is relatively widespread, as is mesothelioma in construction workers who helped build the military facilities of that era.
Asbestos is banned from almost all military installations, vehicles and vessels today. However, since mesothelioma tends to take several decades to appear, many former and/or retired military veterans are only now beginning to develop the disease.
Legacy asbestos likely remains in many older military facilities and in “mothballed” naval vessels where it may pose a hazard to those in service today.
If you are a military veteran and have suffered from mesothelioma or other health problems due to asbestos exposure, you may have a case at law entitling you to compensation from the parties responsible. The Johnson Law Group specializes in providing legal counsel in cases of mesothelioma in military veterans.
